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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday August 25, 2007

Erie Blogger Scott McCausland has been ordered by the United States Government to switch to Windows from Ubuntu, a free Debian derived Linux-based operating system. Scott is on probation and the monitoring system will only run on Windows. This comes awful close to cruel and unusual punishment. His related entry. There have been a number of news stories on this, dozens of blog posts and the score on Digg.com is up to 1319 Diggs. And because he has to switch over he placed a Donate button on his page. Friends were kind but holy cow did he take a lot of grief about it. Here are some of the comments he received about it. Scott spent 5 months in federal prison, has 5 months of home confinement, followed by 2-3 years of supervised release (probation). He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement and one count of criminal copyright infringement in violation of the Family Entertainment Copyright Act. His guilty plea stems from his involvement in the BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) network previously known as Elite Torrents. This was the first criminal enforcement action against copyright infringement on a P2P network using BitTorrent technology. At its prime, the Elite Torrents network attracted more than 133,000 members and facilitated the illegal distribution of more than 2 million copies of movies, software, music, and games. Star Wars: Episode III on uploaded hours before it hit the theaters and downloaded 10,000 times in the first 24 hours while McCausland was a site admin on Elitetorrents.

Groundbreaking took place yesterday on the Mercantile Building. The first three floors will be retail and office space with the upper 2 floors being condos. This project is a slam dunk. Seven of the condominiums have already been sold according to the Erie Redevelopment Authority. I heard 9 are gone. It should be finished about this time next year.

Year after year, auto crashes are the number one killer of US teens. Many of these deaths, caused by driver error due to inexperience behind the wheel, are preventable. It’s nearly back to school time - and if you have teenagers that will be driving to school or hitching rides from friends, discussing expectations beforehand will help keep them safe. In addition to adhering to local laws, Erie Insurance recommends setting the following five ground rules for teen drivers:
1. Insist on seatbelts - It’s been proven time and again: Seatbelts save lives. A recent Erie Insurance survey of nearly 1,400 teen drivers revealed good news: 94 percent report wearing seatbelts on a regular basis. Drivers should insist that all passengers buckle up, too.
2. Limit teen passengers - More teens means more conversation, more activity and potentially more chaos. Limit the number of teen passengers that ride with a new driver, and increase the number only as he or she proves ready.
3. Eliminate distractions - Cell phone calls, text messages, mp3 players, food, loud music, friends … the list of distractions goes on and on. Keep a young driver’s attention focused on the road by eliminating all possible distractions.
4. Obey the speed limit - Whether running late for school in the morning or rushing to get home afterward, teens have a tendency to step on the pedal to make up for lost time. Discuss the dangers of speeding with your teen and revoke driving privileges if he or she receives a citation.
5. Prohibit impaired driving - Ten percent of respondents in the recent Erie Insurance survey admit to having driven at least once while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. One time is one too many.
In addition to establishing these guidelines, parents should continue to monitor and observe their teens’ driving behaviors even after they obtain full license privileges. One way Erie Insurance helps keep teens safe is through Lookin’ Out, a teen driving awareness program created to reduce auto crashes and promote safe driving habits. Lookin’ Out is rooted in a student created and student driven approach of positive peer influence that empowers teens to customize a series of events/activities appropriate for their school. Erie Insurance provides grants of up to $2,000 per school year for schools taking part in the program.

Spectrum Control (NasdaqGM:SPEC) was once again named one of the Top Five Small-Cap Stocks by TheStreet.com as it has every week for about 2 months.

The first place Erie SeaWolves won their third straight game on Friday night at Prince George’s Stadium with a 10-6 win over the Bowie Baysox. The SeaWolves and Baysox continue their four-game series on Saturday night at Prince George’s Stadium…7:05 First Pitch. RHP Burke Badenhop (1-0, 1.29 ERA) takes the mound for the ‘Wolves, making his second Double-A start. LHP Carlos Perez (0-0, 0.00) is on the hill for the Baysox.

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced that, due to scheduling conflicts, they have adjusted their exhibition schedule. The first two games of the Otters exhibition schedule remain the same with games against the Niagara IceDogs Saturday, September 1st at Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena followed by a rematch Thursday, September 6th in Niagara. The Otters will complete the pre-season with a pair of games at the Tullio Arena. Friday, September 14th the Otters face the Plymouth Whalers in a 7:30 pm start. On Saturday, September 15th the Otters will welcome the IceDogs to the Tullio Arena in another 7:30 pm start. Tickets for the Otters two pre-season games to be played at the Tullio Arena are $11.50 for adults and $9.50 for children (12 and under) and go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, August 29th at the Erie Civic Center Box Office and all Erie-area TicketMaster locations.

Mercyhurst College players scored all 3 goals as the Canadian U-22 Team defeated Team USA, 3-1. Mercyhurst senior forward Stephanie Jones scored the first goal of the game for Canada. Junior forward Valerie Chouinard and sophomore forward Meghan Agosta also got in on the action as Chouinard tallied an assist on Canada’s second goal and Agosta followed suit on the third. Seven of the 22 players on the Canadian roster attend Mercyhurst.

The Mercyhurst College women’s soccer team (1-0) edged 16th ranked Indianapolis 2-1. With the win, the Lakers avenge their 2-1 loss to the Hounds in the opening round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.

The Gannon University men’s soccer team beat Kentucky Wesleyan 3-0.

The Mercyhurst men’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season to Southern Indiana 2-1 Friday. It was a heartbreaker for the Lakers after fighting two overtimes after an emotional comeback in the second half to tie the game in regulation.

The Mercyhurst women’s volleyball team opened its season by winning a pair of matches at the Roberts Wesleyan Tournament. The Lakers defeated Alderson-Broaddus 30-28, 30-28, 30-24 before defeating Houghton 33-31, 26-30, 30-19, 30-26.

Zach Kessler was named athletic director of the Franklin Regional School District. Kessler held the same position for three years at the Moon Area School District. Kessler has a degree in psychology from Allegheny College, where he was a two-time first team all-conference guard and two-time All-American, and an MBA from Robert Morris.

Come enjoy beautiful Presque Isle State Park and join your friends in bringing the summer to an end with this one of a kind kayak and canoe fundraising event called Paddle Erie to benefit the March of Dimes. On August 25, 2007 participants will launch their canoes/kayaks from Lagoon Boat Launch and paddle either an advanced course or a beginner course. The 10 mile advanced course begins at 8 am and is approximately four hours. The 4 mile beginner course is approximately two hours and starts at 10 am. Paddlers must pre-register and raise a minimum of $50. Special incentives are available based on the amount a participant raises. The top three fundraisers will receive additional prizes. Children 12 and under are free to participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. ALL paddlers MUST wear a personal flotation device. For more information or to receive your sponsor form, please contact Emily by phone at 1-800-433-5210 or e-mail efritz@marchofdimes.com.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 2220 Reed Street in Erie will host the Zabawa Polish Summer Festival August today and Sunday. Polish foods, polka music, and traditional dancing. Hours are: Saturday, 2 to 10 pm; Sunday, noon to 6 pm. For more information, call 814-456-0671.

The Fuller Hose Company of North East will sponsor the annual North East National Rib Festival at Gravel Pit Park today and Sunday. Automobile shows, crafters, petting zoo, live entertainment, and plenty of food. For more details, call (814) 725-9211.

The Director’s Circle Theater is presenting “Drama Queens” which ends its run tonight. Tickets can be reserved by calling: 451-1153.

“Miss Saigon” is being performed at the Erie Playhouse this evening and Aug 26.

The ‘Weird PI: Guided Bike Excursion’ takes place on Sunday August 26 from 10:30 am to 1 pm. Did you know there are old gravestones on the peninsula? A caviar factory once operated here? A plant on the park can cause temporary blindness if mishandled? Discover these and more weird stories of Presque Isle State Park during this family-friendly bike around the park. Bring your own bike or rent from the Yellow Bike Concession. Rental fee only, no registration fee, it’s FREE. Meet at the Yellow Bike Concession.

Winds on the Lake, a professional wind and percussion ensemble, will present a FREE outdoor concert titled “Salute to America” at 3 pm on Sunday, Aug 26. Fittingly, the performance will take place in the gazebo of the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, which is located on Erie’s bayfront at 560 E Third St. In the event of rain, the concert will be held inside the facility. Winds on the Lake performs under the direction of Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Matthew Inkster, director of bands at West Virginia’s West Liberty State College. In addition to patriotic favorites, “Salute to America” will include a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and a special tribute to the armed forces.

The 2007 Erie County Fair will be held August 26 to September 2.

The 19th Street Polish Falcons are hosting a Baked Chicken Dinner on Wednesday August 29 from 5-7:30 pm. Dinner includes salad, cheesy potatoes and vegetable. Cost is $5 at the door. Open to the public, you need not be a member. For more information call (814) 454-6752.

The 11th annual Erie German Heritage Festival will be held at the Shriner Club, 38th and Zuck, September 1-2.

Family First Sports Park is hosting the Challenge Cup soccer tournament September 1-2. The National Premier High School Challenge Cup will feature some of the top high school boys and girls teams in the nation. Every hotel room within 50 miles of Erie is booked that weekend.

Ladies, pull out those poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes and pull your hair into a ponytail. Guys, throw on your leather jacket and grease back your hair. The Roadhouse Theatre is going to turn back the clocks and rewind the years to the 1950’s. “Buddy Holly, The Day the Music Died” will be performed at the Roadhouse Theatre Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, September 7-22. The show stars Matty B and the Dirty Pickles. Admission: $8 (student), $10 (regular), $12 (riser) and $15 (VIP). The Box Office Phone number is (814) 456-5656.

The 7th annual triathlon on Presque Isle State Park will take place Saturday, September 8, 2007, the first Saturday after Labor Day. All segments of the triathlon…the swim, the bike and the run…will start, transition and finish at Beach 6. PI TRI 07 is open to individuals and 2-3 person relay teams.

The 9th annual Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park Festival of family fun and environmental learning will be held September 8, 10 am - 3 pm. From the children’s tree climb to horticulture presentations, there will be something for all to enjoy. The day includes children’s games and crafts; hands-on demonstrations; musical performances; an animal petting zoo; food and more. FREE admission.

The 2007 Erie Heritage Festival - “The Last Blast of Summer” - returns again as the Lake Erie Region’s popular community enrichment event. Erie’s Heritage Festival is a day-long performance venue of Americana and World music performed by musicians from the Erie and Southern Ontario regions. The event concludes with a summer Pops performance by the Erie Philharmonic. The finale of the Pops concert is a dramatic presentation of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever - complete with cannon fire, church bells, and fireworks. The event takes place September 8 at Liberty Park on the Erie Bayfront.

Where economic freedom rings, political freedom is sure to follow, says an economist who will speak next month at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The Sam and Irene Black School of Business will host Robert Lawson PhD, co-author of the annual Economic Freedom of the World report, for a lecture and question and answer session on Monday, Sept 10. Lawson’s presentation will take place at 5 pm in the lecture hall of the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). It is free and open to the public.

Would you, or someone you know, like to join a band? The Gem City Concert Band of Erie, PA, is seeking new members for the Fall 2007 season. The concert band, currently consisting of 45 members, is very versatile, playing music such as old overtures, show tunes, traditional concert band pieces, movie scores, and marches. The band presents a spring and fall concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church, as well as numerous other retirement homes and community performances throughout the year. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 pm in the lower-level meeting room of St John’s Lutheran Church at 23rd and Peach Streets. Fall 2007 rehearsals begin September 11th. Interested musicians should contact the director, Betty McKinney, at 814-602-9247 for more information or visit on-line at www.GemCityBands.org. All instruments are welcomed. Membership is free!

The PA Department of General Services (DGS) is hosting a “Doing Business with the Commonwealth” workshop in Erie PA on September 12. Please contact Gayle Nuppnau at 412-442-5872 or gnuppnau@state.pa.us for details.

Indigenous Aztec dance and music is on the menu for the first performance in the 2007-08 Rhythms of Life cultural series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac ensemble will perform between noon and 1:45 pm on Wednesday, Sept 12, in Bruno’s Café, located on the second floor of the college’s Reed Union Building. The performance is free and open to the public, and a full menu of hot and cold lunch items will be available for purchase.

The Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission is sponsoring meetings with18 overseas trade representatives September 12-13 in Erie. One-on-one appointments on September 13 will run from 8 am - 11:30 am and 12:30 pm - 3 pm. The following overseas trade representatives will be available: Australia / New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore/ASEAN, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Click here for the registration form.

The Scions of Britain (the SOB’s), The British Motoring Group of Northwestern Pennsylvania, proudly presents the 15th annual All British Car Gathering, Sunday September 16, 2007 at the Waterford Square, Waterford, PA. 12 Noon to 4 PM. For more information contact Tom Lee - (814) 725-5992 or rthomaslee@aol.com.

The famed Cavani String Quartet returns to Erie in September to open the 18th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Cavani String Quartet will present its free Logan Series public performance at noon on Wednesday, Sept 19, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.

The Erie Art Museum’s Contemporary Music Series will present violinist Diane Monroe in concert on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at 8 pm at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Admission is free; a $10 donation is suggested.

Mercyhurst Men’s Basketball Alumni are organizing an Alumni Basketball game for charity. The event is scheduled for September 29, 2007 at 7pm at the MAC. Come See some of your favorite Mercyhurst players from the past and some of the Mercyhurst stars of the future compete in 3-point contests and a dunk contest. All proceeds from the gate will benefit the Alheimer’s Association of Erie. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Players include Brent Swain, Keith Nies, Matt Thielker, Gerry Battle, and Dion Brown, Jason Ioppolo, and Jody Crymes.

The 2007 Wine Country Harvest Festival will be held in North East, PA September 28, 29 and 30.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at August 25, 2007 8:06 AM

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Posted by: Georgia at August 25, 2007 2:21 PM

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